Lenexa, MO – A 16-year-old girl tragically lost her life at a teenage sleepover earlier this month in Missouri, with police stating she was shot in the throat and killed by a 21-year-old woman while “fixing her friend’s hair” at a vanity.
The Incident and Alleged Murderer
Bailey Lewis, 21, of Lenexa, is now facing second-degree felony murder charges in the death of Traelynn Sibley, a Grandview High School student who was only days away from starting her junior year. The incident occurred on August 9, at a home in the 3600 block of Norton Avenue, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors claim that Lewis drove by the house and fired multiple shots at the residence, allegedly targeting someone inside with whom she had a falling out after a previous incident involving a gas station altercation months earlier. The tragic shooting occurred as Traelynn and her friends were spending the night and doing their hair.
The Night’s Events and Witness Statements
As per the probable cause affidavit, the night began as a normal teenage sleepover. Witnesses described how two of the females, including Traelynn, were sitting at a vanity near the front door while another female was in a back bedroom. Meanwhile, two adult males were playing video games in the living room.
“The juvenile female struck by gunfire was fixing her friend’s hair at the vanity when she was shot in the throat,” the affidavit stated. “She ran to the bathroom where she collapsed.”
At the time of the shooting, a toddler was also present in the house. The gunfire caused significant damage to the home, including bullet holes in the living room and blood trails leading from the living room to the bathroom.
A Tense History Behind the Shooting
Witnesses told detectives that the shooting was allegedly sparked by a dispute between Lewis and someone in the house. According to the affidavit, Lewis was upset with her former acquaintance for allegedly stealing something with a male friend. The person accused of stealing denied the claim, but the relationship between them soured, and they had not been in contact for months.
A witness further indicated that the falling out occurred after Lewis allegedly let the person get “jumped” at a gas station. This event appears to have fueled tensions between them, leading to the deadly shooting.
The Investigation and Evidence
Detectives were able to link Lewis to the crime through surveillance footage showing her 2025 Hyundai Elantra at the scene. Additionally, they found social media posts linking Lewis to the person inside the home who knew her. The former acquaintance also identified her.
Police also linked Lewis to a separate shooting incident that took place about 15 minutes before the sleepover shooting. Video footage showed her car near the apartment complex, aligning with the approximate drive time between the two locations.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
In addition to the murder charge, Bailey Lewis faces multiple counts of accessory to armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon. She is being held on a $400,000 bond and remains incarcerated at the Jackson County Detention Center as of Sunday.
Conclusion
The murder of Traelynn Sibley has left her family and the local community in shock, as a typical sleepover turned into a deadly tragedy. As the case progresses, authorities will continue to investigate the series of events that led to this devastating outcome.
What do you think of this tragic event? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
